EC, security forces gear up for ‘tough’ third phase

In the third and final phase of the Manipur Assembly elections, 12 seats in the hill districts of Churachandpur, Tamenglong

In the third and final phase of the Manipur Assembly elections, 12 seats in the hill districts of Churachandpur, Tamenglong, Chandel and Jiribam subdivision of Imphal (East) district will go to the polls on February 23.

State Chief Electoral Officer R R Rashmi has termed this the “most difficult” of the three phases. Rashmi said the main problem was accessibility, with many polling booths located in forested areas. Several booths can be reached only on foot after trekking anywhere between five and 25 km through dense forests. However, with only 517 polling stations to be covered, the security cover is likely to

be tighter.

“Due to the geographical location, we have declared 80 per cent of the polling stations sensitive. Two or more sections of central paramilitary forces will be supplied. The troops used in the first two phases will be pressed into service here.”

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In a bid to avoid incidents like the ambush which killed three CRPF jawans and two polling officials in Ukhrul after the first phase of polling, the EC has detailed four helicopters for ferrying EVMs out of remote polling stations. In all, 120 EVMs will be airlifted, Rashmi said. Sources in the EC said the BSF was taking no chances this time in the violence-prone hill districts, and have indicated that they will open fire if there is any attempt to disrupt the polling process.

Among the prominent faces in this final phase will be Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaikhangam, who will be fighting to retain his seat in Nungba. Gaikhangam will be pitted against former professor Gangumei Kamei.

In Churachandpur, Congress candidate and Minister for Information and Public Relations TN Haokip will be seeking re-election from Saikot, which also features missing BJP candidate NG Haokip. The BJP candidate has gone into hiding since February 16 following a kidnap bid by armed miscreants.

In Churachandpur constituency, first timer and school principal Langkhanpau Guite, of the National People’s Party, is expected to give a tough fight to former minister Phunzathang Tonsing. Counting for all the three phases has been fixed for February 27.